Method for filling bottles and filler cap

ABSTRACT

There is provided a method of filling a bottle, in particular a PET bottle. A filler cap having a first and a second end ( 11, 12 ) is fitted on to the bottle head. In that case the second end ( 12 ) of the filler cap is arranged on the bottle head. A filler head is fitted on to or into a first end ( 11 ) of the filler cap. The bottle is sterilised by the filler head which is introduced into the first end ( 11 ) of the filler cap. The bottle is then filled by the filler head introduced into the first end ( 11 ). The first end ( 11 ) of the filler cap is welded to close the bottle while the filler head is in the first end ( 11 ) of the filler cap.

The present invention concerns a method of filling bottles, in particular PET bottles, and a filler cap for use when filling bottles.

At the present moment in time essentially three different variants are used for filling PET bottles.

The bottles are delivered in the desired form and fed to a filling machine. The bottles are filled by the filling machine and then the bottles are closed with a screw closure. To ensure sterile filling the bottle filling operation has to be effected in sterile air in order that the contents can be kept longer. That method however does not make it possible to achieve an aseptic condition.

As an alternative thereto the bottles can be delivered in the form of blanks to the filling factory and inflated there. The bottles are then filled as described hereinbefore. That system is advantageous as it is possible to save on transport costs and storage area.

In accordance with a further filling method the blanks are inflated in the factory, in which case the head of the bottle remains closed. In a sterile room, the head of the bottle is cut off, filled, welded with an aluminum film and then, outside the filling room, provided with a screw cap therefore serving as a secondary re-closure device. In the sterile room the operating personnel are supplied with an independent air supply and the personnel operate under aseptic conditions. Such a filling method however is highly expensive.

As general state of the art attention is to be directed to DE 195 44 708 A1, DE 195 47 425 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,406, U.S. Pat. No. 3,531,908 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,930,170.

Thus the object of the present invention is to provide a method of filling bottles, which permits aseptic filling under simplified conditions.

That object is attained by a method as set forth in claim 1 and by a filler cap as set forth in claim 2.

Thus there is provided a method of filling a bottle, in particular a PET bottle. A filler cap having a first and a second end is fitted on to the bottle head. In that case the second end of the filler cap is arranged on the bottle head. A filler head is fitted on to or into a first end of the filler cap. The bottle is sterilised by the filler head which is introduced into the first end of the filler cap. The bottle is then filled by the filler head introduced into the first end. The first end of the filler cap is welded to close the bottle while the filler head is in the first end of the filler cap.

The invention also concerns a filler cap for filling and closing bottles. In that respect the filler cap has a first end for receiving a filler head and a second end for fixing on a bottle head of a bottle to be filled. The first end of the filler cap is of such a configuration that a filler head can be introduced into the first end of the filler cap to sterilise and fill the bottle.

The first end is further of such a configuration that it can be welded to close the bottle.

Further configurations of the invention are subject-matter of the appendant claims.

Advantages and embodiments by way of example of the invention are described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the drawing.

FIG. 1 a shows a plan view of a cap in a first embodiment,

FIG. 1 b shows a view in section along section line A-A in FIG. 1 a,

FIG. 1 c is shows a view in section along section line B-B in FIG. 1 a, and

FIG. 1 d shows a perspective view in section of the cap.

FIG. 1 a shows a plan view of a cap in a first embodiment by way of example. The cap is of a substantially circular configuration and has a slot 11 in the plan view shown in FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 1 b shows a view in section along section line A-A in FIG. 1 a. The cap 10 has a first end 11 and a second end 12, wherein the second end 12 is of a circular configuration in cross-section to be fitted on to the head of a bottle. The first end 11 of the cap 10 serves in that respect to receive a filler head.

A groove 13 is provided at the second end of the cap. The groove 13 is of such a configuration that it can receive a bottle head.

FIG. 1 c shows a view in section along section line B-B in FIG. 1 a. The first end 11 and the second end 12 of the cap are also shown here.

When the cap 10 is fitted or screwed on to a bottle head then the bottle head is received in the groove 13.

FIG. 1 d shows a perspective view in section of the cap according to the invention.

While the second end 12 of the cap 10 is round (or is of a circular cross-section), the first end 11 of the cap 10 can be of a domed configuration and can be of a slot-shaped cross-section.

The cap shown in FIGS. 1 a through 1 d is used as a filler cap when filling a bottle. For that purpose the bottle is placed for example on a conveyor belt and optionally the bottle is turned through 360° to remove any solid pieces. The bottle is then filled by means of the filler cap. The cap or the second end of the cap is fitted on to the bottle head. The filler head can be introduced through the opening in the first end 11 of the filler cap. When the filler head is introduced into the first end 11 of the filler cap then the bottle is firstly disinfected or sterilised by means of the filler head. The required fluid can then be delivered into the bottle through the filler head. Between the sterilisation and filling operations the filler head remains in the first end 11 of the filler cap so that it is possible to ensure that the bottle can be filled under aseptic conditions. In that respect filling is effected without releasing the lid or cap. Nitrogen can also be sprayed on, without releasing the cap. Then the cap or the first end 11 of the cap—once again without releasing the cap—can be welded for example by means of ultrasound. Thus the bottle can be sterilised, filled and closed in one working operation. Both the sterilisation step and also the step of filling the bottle are effected through the filler head which is introduced into the first end 11 of the cap. In that case the filler head can be introduced into the first end 11 in such a way that the interior of the bottle and the interior of the cap are air-tightly closed. After the first end 11 of the cap is closed or welded, the bottle is filled in the finished condition, in which case aseptic filling is possible without for example the entire filling room with the filling machines having to operate under aseptic conditions. The filler cap according to the invention makes it possible to provide that the aseptic conditions have to prevail only in the interior of the bottle to be filled.

The above-described method and the above-described filler cap can thus provide that the interior of the bottle or the product does not come into contact with the atmosphere during the filling operation and during closure of the lid or cap. Thus there is no need for the entire filler apparatus to be arranged in a sterile room. It is only necessary to use the filler cap and to sterilise the interior of the bottle.

In other words the bottle is used as an aseptic space. The bottle can thus be provided as an aseptic space by means of the above-described cap and the filler head. The bottle is screwed to the lid or the cap. The filler head is introduced into the opening in the first end 11 of the filler cap and the bottle is sterilised, for example by peroxide being introduced. The peroxide can then be sucked out again and the bottle can then be filled by the filler head. Sterilisation of the bottle, filling of the bottle and subsequent welding of the cap are effected when a filler head is disposed in the first end of the filler cap, that is to say the filler head is in or at the first end of the cap throughout the entire filling operation.

The above-described method and the above-described cap mean that filling installations can be substantially smaller and can be produced and then operated very much more favorably.

Welding of the first end 11 or of the flange can be effected by ultrasound or by thermal heating of the first end. After the welding operation or after closure of the cap, a small seam or scar may be left. The bottle can be hermetically closed by the operation of closing or welding the first end 11 of the cap.

In accordance with the invention a filler cap is required for each bottle. Hermetic closure of the bottle is made possible by means of the filler cap according to the invention. 

1. A method of filling a bottle, in particular a PET bottle, comprising the steps: applying a filler cap having a first end and a second end (11, 12) to the bottle head, introducing a filler head into the first end (11) of the filler cap, the second end (12) of the filler cap being arranged on the bottle head, sterilising the bottle by the filler head introduced into the first end of the filler cap, filling the bottle through the filler head which is introduced into the first end (11), and welding the first end (11) of the filler cap to close the bottle while the filler head is in the first end of the filler cap.
 2. A filler cap for filling and closing bottles comprising a first end (11) for receiving a filler head and a second end (12) for fixing on a bottle head of a bottle to be filled; wherein the first end (11) is of such a configuration that a filler head can be introduced into the first end (11) of the filler cap to sterilise and fill the bottle and it is weldable to close the bottle.
 3. A filler cap as set forth in claim 2 wherein the second end is of a circular configuration and has a groove (13) for receiving a bottle head.
 4. A filler cap as set forth in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the first end (11) is of a slot-shaped configuration in cross-section and projects beyond the second end by a predetermined amount. 